Innehållsförteckning för 30 November 2020 från New Idea

It might be the most magical time of the year, but for many Australians, Christmas and the New Year are a reminder of the loved ones they’ve lost. We’re so proud to be launching the New Idea Missing Children Campaign: Please Come Home for Christmas. We’ve teamed up with Leave A Light On Inc., the charity founded by Suzie Ratcliffe in memory of her missing sister, Joanne. Around 50 per cent of people reported missing every year are under 17 years old and we want to raise awareness to help them reunite with their families before December 25.…

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas are no more as sources say her decision to dump him sparked an “inconsolable” Ben to stop eating. “He’s devastated,” says a pal. “She went off Ben months ago when her James Bond bosses told her he wasn’t “good optics for the Bond franchise” and not welcome on the red carpet. She kind of saw him differently after that and he sensed it – that’s why he started to obsess in the gym. Everyone thinks Ana called it quits a month ago because Ben’s been so miserable – he’s stopped working out, stopped eating – the big fear is that he might relapse.”…

Elle Macpherson didn’t mince words last week, posting a string of revealing quotations, seemingly confirming rumours she and her man, Andrew Wakefield, have called it quits. Sources say the 56-year-old mum of two has been under pressure from friends and family to walk away from the 63-year-old denounced doctor, given he’s taking heat from all over the globe over his discredited claims that vaccines are linked with autism. “Measles is becoming a big problem all over the world and Andrew’s being blamed for it as the unofficial ‘father’ of the anti-vax movement,” says an insider. “The hate mail he gets is extraordinary and Elle’s been tarred with the same brush. It’s been intense this past year and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s been causing problems between them.” Last…

From grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepping down as senior members of the royal family and moving to the United States to Prince Andrew’s involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and, of course, COVID-19, 2020 has been one of the most difficult years of the Queen’s long reign. And now, as the fourth season of the hugely popular series, The Crown, continues to roll out on Netflix with unflattering portrayals of her family, New Idea understands Her Majesty is at her wits end. “The Queen has had a bad year with Megxit, Prince Andrew and COVID … what she doesn’t need now is a lot of bad headlines based purely on a fictional TV show,” explains Phil Dampier, author of Diana: I’m Going To Be Me. “Whereas…

A year has passed since Prince Andrew’s disastrous BBC Newsnight interview – and time has done nothing to repair the damage. Now, the Queen’s third child’s future as a working royal remains even more doubtful. Royal author Nigel Cawthorne is of the belief that the Prince “shot himself in the foot” and his PR strategy to “march on” has not panned out. “The Prince has been his own worst enemy,” says the author of Prince Andrew: Epstein, Maxwell and the Palace. “Andrew is clinging on to his HRH title ... it is by far a greater cliffhanger than Meghan and Harry’s, even if the backdrop couldn’t be more tawdry.”…

Move over, Madonna, there’s a new cougar in town – and her name is Jennifer Aniston! In the wake of Brad Pitt’s  recent short-lived fling with a model half his age, the 51-year-old star is eager to date a younger man – and New Idea can exclusively reveal the list of eligible bachelors piquing her interest. Although Jen’s friends have been big fans of the toyboy concept for years – her BFF Courteney Cox even had a show called Cougar Town based on the premise! – she never really subscribed to it, preferring to date more age-appropriate men, except for John Mayer. But lately, as she sees famous men her own age dating down, including Brad, she’s started to think there’s nothing wrong with her giving it a go, too!…

Elizabeth Taylor & Conrad Hilton Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton united in Beverly Hills on May 6, 1950, before 600 guests, including actor Spencer Tracy. Outside, 3000 fans clamoured to see the bride. Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton “I felt adored, worshipped,” said Liz, who wed Richard Burton (for the first time!) on March 15, 1964 – just nine days after her divorce from fourth husband Eddie Fisher was final. They’d also divorce before briefly marrying a second time.…

Tropical Trifle Cheesecake Serves 8-10, Prep: 45 mins 400g packet jam sponge roll 2 tblsps (40ml) orange-flavoured liqueur 85g packet mango-flavoured jelly crystals ¾ cup thickened cream, whipped Fresh sliced mango and fresh passionfruit pulp, to decorate FILLING 2 x 250g blocks cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature 395g can sweetened condensed milk ¼ cup lemon juice ½ cup thick vanilla custard 1 Invert base of a 21cm springform pan (base measures 20cm). Grease and line base with baking paper. 2 Cut sponge roll into 13 even slices. Arrange 8 slices, cut-side facing outwards, around side of pan, trimming to fit. Arrange remaining slices and trimmings, cut-side down, in a single layer over base of prepared pan. Brush with liqueur. 3 To make filling, beat cream cheese in a large…

STOCKISTS COUNTRY ROAD COUNTRYROAD.COM.AU, FRENCH CONNECTION FRENCHCONNECTION.COM.AU, JAG JAG.COM.AU, KMART KMART.COM.AU, MARKS & SPENCER MARKSANDSPENCER.COM, MIMCO MIMCO.COM.AU, NEXT NEXT.COM.AU, NINE WEST NINEWEST.COM.AU, ORDER OF STYLE ORDEROFSTYLE.COM, SEED HERITAGE SEEDHERITAGE.COM, SHOPBOP SHOPBOP.COM, SPECSAVERS SPECSAVERS.COM.AU, THE ICONIC THEICONIC.COM.AU, TONY BIANCO TONYBIANCO.COM.AU, WITCHERY WITCHERY.COM.AU, WITTNER WITTNER.COM.AU, ZARAZARA.COM/AU…

We’ve probably all experienced the instant emotional effects that come from listening to music. Whether it’s your favourite song that makes you want to happy dance or perhaps your goto ballad for when you need a good cry. But did you know that there are health benefits beyond that? Let’s explore… HELP YOUR HEART So music doesn’t just engage your auditory system, it stimulates your brain, too. “There is no other stimulus on earth that simultaneously engages our brains as widely as music does,” certified neurologic music therapist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Brian Harris, explained on Harvard Medical School’s website. Essentially, when you listen to music (the kind that makes you feel calm), your brain stem starts processing the sound – which is also the part of your brain…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY… Do you often remember your dreams? If you do, as soon as you wake up, make a note of them. Do this for at least a month. Your dreams are revealing something really important to you over the coming 12 months. Once you start to work with them, they’re going to lead you towards wherever it is that you want to go. Get your Moon free gifts at moonmessages.com/moonlite. READER Q&A Q I was born in 1979. I would like to know if children are in the cards for me. Thank you. RUNA, MELBOURNE, VIC. A Now is actually a good time for you to have kids! Don’t give up. There are eclipses in your Children Zone next year. Eclipses are unpredictable, however, they can also…

Ask any Home and Away star past or present what it’s really like to call our most iconic TV seaside town home and the response will likely be a positive one. Certainly, for seasoned actor Rick Donald, who this week moves into Summer Bay as Martha’s long-lost and deeply troubled son Kieran, it truly is a gig he’s relishing. Having previously starred in Home and Away and everything from Wentworth to 800 Words, House Husbands and A Place to Call Home, the talented performer – also a busy writer-director – concedes he was “instantly keen” when the producers gave him the lowdown on the important new role. “There’s a lot of layers to the character of Kieran,” reflects Rick. “He’s not just a bad boy. He’s struggling with some mental…

MOVIE MISBEHAVIOUR This fun UK comedy centres on the 1970 Miss World beauty pageant. Held in London, the contest was notable for feminist protests and for the fact that a black woman won the contest. Here, Keira Knightley is Sally Alexander, an academic. Jennifer Hosten – Miss Grenada – is played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY MOVIE LET HIM GO Let’s face it, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane make a fantastic on-screen couple. Set in the ’60s, Kevin is retired sheriff George Blackledge, who, with wife Margaret (Diane), are on a mission to save their grandson from their former daughter-in-law Lorna’s (Kayli Carter) abusive new partner, Donnie (Will Brittain), and his family. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY MOVIE HILLBILLY ELEGY Based on the book by J.D. Vance, the film stars Amy…

Uh-oh! It looks like there’s already trouble in paradise for Katie Holmes and her new boyfriend, Emilio Vitolo Jr. According to sources, Katie finally went too far with her extreme plant-based no-carb diet – causing a frustrated Emilio to explode! The 41-year-old mum incurred the wrath of the Italian food maestro, 33, after rejecting a taste of his latest sauce over fears she’ll put on weight. “He spent three hours making that sauce and she refused to even taste it, despite him begging her to,” says an insider. “He exploded and started going nuts in Italian before leaving for the restaurant. But this isn’t about his pride in his creations, he genuinely is worried she’s way too thin.” Friends say Katie’s lost “nearly 3kg” since hooking up with Emilio, despite…

Olivia Newton-John has warned fans to be careful after an online retailer used her name to sell Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD oil. “This is completely false and fraudulent,” a post on ONJ’s Instagram by her management declared, adding that the singer “does not promote ANY CBD oil products from any company”. Last year, Olivia, who has stage-four metastatic breast cancer, revealed she manages pain by taking cannabis oil, which is different from CBD oil, along with conventional medicine and complementary therapies. She recently told the Today show that she’s feeling “great” despite living with the illness.…

Twenty-three years since his mother’s death, the Duke of Cambridge continues to fight for justice. Last week, Prince William released a statement showing his support for an independent investigation into Princess Diana’s 1995 Panorama interview with BBC journalist Martin Bashir. “The independent investigation is a step in the right direction. It should help establish the truth behind the actions that led to the Panorama interview and subsequent decisions taken by those in the BBC at the time,” a statement released via Kensington Palace read. The inquiry comes after Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, made claims that Martin had lied to him and Diana about the royal family so she would agree to the interview. “William will not rest in his quest to get justice for his mum – after all, as…

Kate Middleton’s friend has revealed how the Duchess of Cambridge was still “pining” for her ex Harry Blakelock when she met Prince William. An unnamed friend who attended Marlborough College with the royal told the Mail on Sunday last week that reports Kate had chosen to go to the University of St Andrews to target William were wrong. At the time, the pal says Kate was still hoping to get back with her ex who had “blown hot and cold with her when they were at school”, adding, “she was always talking about how she could get him back”. Her relationship with Harry reportedly lasted a year and according to Katie Nicholl’s biography of Kate, despite the demands of exams, “both agreed they wanted to make the relationship work”. She…

In their 12 short years, twins Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt have been immersed in a life of international jet-setting, Hollywood grandeur and hands-on humanitarianism – along with their four older siblings. Now, insiders reveal how the youngest children of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who separated in 2016, have fast become the boldest and most daring of the bunch. “Knox and Vivienne really are the best of both of their parents,” shares a source. Born a minute apart in 2008, Knox and Viv’s birth in Nice, France, set the tone for the global lives they would lead, accompanying Angie and Brad everywhere from Japan and Italy to Malta and Cambodia. But while they’ve been homeschooled for years, the source says their childhoods are, by design, grounded and built on routine.…

In Netflix’s new musical The Prom, Meryl Streep stars as a narcissistic Broadway diva who decides to help a teenage lesbian after she’s banned from bringing her girlfriend to her formal. And the legendary actress tells New Idea that she was a regular attendee at her own high school’s night of nights. “[I went to] four [proms]. I went to the senior prom when I was a [high school] freshman,” the 71-year-old star explains. “It didn’t last beyond that evening, the relationship. But I was very excited. My mother made all my prom dresses, and I thought I looked great. That’s what it’s all about, how you look, or looked at least at the beginning of the evening.” However, while Meryl, a popular student and cheerleader, was crowned Homecoming Queen…

When you hear the name Sue Brierley, the first thing that springs to mind is probably an image of Nicole Kidman. In 2017, the Oscar-winning actress played Sue in the blockbuster movie, Lion, which is the story of her son Saroo’s adoption from India. The emotional tale, concluding with Saroo finding his biological mother, propelled the Brierleys into a new world of global renown. “Our story is out there, the genie is out of the bottle and it can’t be changed,” 66-year-old Sue tells New Idea. “I see it now as an opportunity to do some good and maybe even to change people’s thinking.” Saroo has written his story in an international bestseller, A Long Way Home, and now it’s Sue’s turn to record her version of events in the…

Roast Turkey with Cranberry and Pecan Stuffing Serves 8-12, Prep and Cook: 4 hours, 5 mins 5kg fresh whole turkey ¼ cup olive oil Fresh bay leaves, to garnish CRANBERRY AND PECAN STUFFING 50g butter 1 large onion, finely chopped 100g pancetta, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed ¼ cup chopped fresh tarragon leaves 6 slices sourdough bread, torn (200g) ½ cup chopped sweetened dried cranberries 2 tsps finely grated orange rind ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted 1 egg, lightly beaten GRAVY Pan juices, reserved from cooking turkey 2 tblsps white wine vinegar ½ cup chicken-flavoured gravy powder ¼ cup jellied cranberry sauce 1 To make stuffing, melt butter in a large, deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion, pancetta, garlic and tarragon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is…

Cherry Ripe Ice-Cream Cones Serves 8, Prep: 30 mins 1 cup Dark Choc Melts (130g) 8 waffle ice-cream cones ICE-CREAM 600ml tub thickened cream 395g can sweetened condensed milk 2½ cups frozen pitted cherries (310g), halved 1 cup shredded coconut, lightly toasted 50g dark chocolate, coarsely grated 1 To make ice-cream, beat cream and condensed milk in a large bowl of an electric mixer until thick. Fold in 2 cups of the cherries, ½ cup of the coconut and chocolate. Pour mixture into a large loaf pan (14cm x 24cm). Top with remaining cherries. Freeze, covered, overnight until firm. 2 Place Melts in a heatproof bowl. Sit bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted. Remove bowl from heat. 3 One at a time, dip top of cones…

TRENDING: OAT MILK Yes, we know it’s one of the most popular alternatives to cow’s milk in coffee right now, but we’re actually talking about oat milk in haircare. Colloidal oatmeal has long been a popular skincare and haircare ingredient for its soothing properties, and Aveeno has just launched an Oat Milk Blend Shampoo and Conditioner range to soothe the scalp and nourish strands. Oats have always been at the forefront of Aveeno’s body care to relieve dry, irritated skin, so it makes sense to continue it into their haircare to help relieve the same kind of conditions on the scalp. SALON FINISH Some of you might be like us and are still trying to nail that salon blow-dry at home. Coordinating the dryer and the brush to get a…

BOOK A VET VISIT Book in a visit to your vet before leaving for your holiday. They will examine your dog, possibly update their vaccinations and advise on any particular risks to be aware of in the area (such as parasites or snakes) – it’s especially important to do so, as it’s tick season, says the RSPCA. ENSURE CONTACT DETAILS ARE CORRECT Greencross Vets advise that you should check your pet’s microchip details are up to date and that you have a pet ID tag with your contact details. Don’t forget to include your mobile phone numbers and emails in case your pet wanders off during your travels. And while you’re at it, look into the closest vet to where you’re staying, as well as an emergency ‘out of hours’…

He may have made his presence felt in some of our favourite dramas, but Rick still found himself somewhat in awe of his latest co-star – the legendary Ray Meagher. “You talk to Ray off camera and he’s been on the show for 30-plus years,” says Rick. “You’d think someone who had been there for that long would be jaded, and wouldn’t have much time for the newer cast coming in and out. “But it’s the total opposite. He was so warm and welcoming to me when I arrived, and incredibly funny with a wicked sense of humour. “And then you get on camera with him and you find yourself getting an absolute serve from him as the iconic character of Alf. It’s great!”…

OLIVIA WILDE & JASON SUDEIKIS SPLIT BOMBSHELL! Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis have ended their nine-year engagement, and Hollywood is ablaze with speculation a “third party” may have been involved. The former couple, who have two kids, Otis, 6, and Daisy, 4, separated earlier this year and have been “successfully co-parenting”. Insiders say things started to go wrong when Olivia directed Jason in her movie, Booksmart, last year. Widespread speculation that Jason fathered January Jones’ 9-year-old son, Xander, also drove a wedge between the pair. The Mad Men star has never revealed the identity of Xander’s dad, but she and Jason were in a relationship shortly before she fell pregnant. ELLEN POMPEO & PATRICK DEMPSEY TOGETHER AT LAST! Grey’s Anatomy fans were in raptures after Ellen Pompeo posted a gorgeous…

She’s almost an Aussie reality star veteran thanks to The Masked Singer, and now Lindsay Lohan is set to embrace jungle living. New Idea has learnt the US actress is set to take part in I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! when it returns in January. “Producers have wanted her on the show for years,” dishes an insider. In the recently released first promo for the show, host Julia Morris hinted at who the contestants might be when she said it would include celebrities “from here and abroad”. Also rumoured to be joining the cast is former Australian Idol contestant and Neighbours cast member Rob Mills, who last crossed paths with Lindsay during his 2019 stint on The Masked Singer.…

Karl Stefanovic’s name has been thrown into the mix to take over as the CEO of Nine. Earlier this month, the media company’s current boss, Hugh Marks, sensationally quit just as it was revealed he was in a relationship with a former colleague. Not long after, an article appeared online claiming Karl, 46, was among the candidates being tipped to replace Hugh. While some suggested Karl’s inclusion was in jest, especially given Sportsbet placed him with long odds of $45, the promotion would cap off a triumphant return to the top for Karl. After being dumped from Today in December 2018, the father of four, who up until his axing had long been considered the network’s golden child, was reinstated as host alongside Allison Langdon in January. At the time,…

At the grand age of 94, the Queen has set the wheels in motion for a lavish, four-day celebration of her platinum jubilee in 2022 – a plan that many aides have privately labelled “ambitious”. And in releasing the plans for her 70th year on the throne, royal insiders say she’s sending a clear message to her son, Prince Charles, who is  keen to take over the thrown next year. At 72, Charles is the world’s longest-serving King-in-waiting, and sources have said he was hoping his mother would step aside and let him reign before he himself is too elderly. “The Queen wants her entire family to know that, despite her advancing years, she is still in charge,” says a source. “And that starts with Charles, who has been getting…

Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson, Duchess of York, had a surprise last-minute birthday present this year in the form of a new family member! Fergie’s half-sister, Elizabeth Cobb, celebrated the arrival of her first child on October 15, but it was only officially announced last week. Named Elba Pear Rosemary, the little one arrived on the same day as her royal relative’s 61st birthday. A spokesperson told the Daily Mail newspaper: “The Duchess is thrilled. It was the perfect gift for her birthday.” The new mum, known as Eliza, is the youngest daughter of Fergie’s father, Major Ronald Ferguson, from his second marriage. Fergie and daughter Beatrice, attended Eliza’s 2017 wedding to Harry Cobb, who works with Prince Harry’s ex, Cressida Bonas’ half-brother Charles at his tuition company. “We really hope we…

Trying her best to keep it all together, the Danish royal has admitted she was on the verge of tears last week as she gave an emotional speech about grief. Crown Princess Mary was attending the 20th anniversary of the Children, Youth and Grief Network when she became visibly upset. She later explained, “For me, it was one of the harder talks to hold. But to my own surprise, I was more moved than I would have thought. And so it is with grief, it can strike at any time.” Mary added that it was “a little hard to explain” why she had been so upset, prompting concern for the hardworking royal. This month marks the 23rd anniversary of the death of Mary’s mother, Henrietta ‘Etta’ Donaldson, who died on…

Johnny Depp has been unlucky in love for years, but the actor is hoping to bounce back – by dating Demi Moore! Insiders close to the twice-divorced Pirates of the Caribbean star, 57, say he’s been crushing on the Hollywood golden girl for many years. Now, with his close pal Armie Hammer reportedly enjoying a fling with Demi’s eldest daughter, Rumer Willis, he’s hoping it’ll lead to a set-up – and then some double dates! “Johnny has always had a soft spot for Demi and dating her would put him back on the Hollywood map, big time,” explains New Idea’s exclusive insider. “He’s pushing for Armie to make it happen.” The actor has been a reclusive figure of late while battling ex-wife Amber Heard in the courts following allegations of…

Brad is inching closer to winning shared custody of his brood, with the court denying Angelina’s petition to have the judge presiding over their tug-of-war dismissed. “It’s a prime example of someone who tried to get the referee removed late in the game because they weren’t going to like the outcome,” says a source. Ange wanted Judge John W. Ouderkirk, who coincidentally married her and Brad in 2014, gone as she believed he’d failed to reveal his ongoing business and professional relationships with Brad’s legal team.…

Audrey Hepburn & Mel Ferrer Audrey Hepburn called her September 24, 1954 wedding to Mel Ferrer a “gathering of our nearest and dearest”. She made friends promise to keep the happy event in Switzerland “a dark secret” to avoid the prying press. Elvis & Priscilla Presley “We wanted it to be ours. Just the people closest to us,” Priscilla Presley recalls about her May 1, 1967, Las Vegas wedding to Elvis Presley. After a ceremony witnessed by just 14 people, they celebrated with a nuptial breakfast for 100 guests. Marilyn Monroe & Arthur Miller Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller were married in a four-minute courthouse ceremony on June 29, 1956. Afterwards, they held a small reception at his agent’s suburban New York home. Frank Sinatra &Ava Gardner Ava Gardner confessed…

Smoky Butterflied Leg of Lamb Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 40 mins 1.5kg butterflied leg of lamb, trimmed 2 tblsps olive oil 1 tblsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 bunch rocket, trimmed, washed 250g packet fresh whole beetroot, drained, quartered ¹/ ³ cup hazelnuts, toasted, chopped ½ cup drained, marinated feta SMOKY SPICE MIX 1 tblsp smoky barbecue seasoning 2 tsps smoked paprika 2 tblsps olive oil 1 tblsp lemon juice 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 To make smoky spice mix, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. 2 Using a sharp knife, cut 1cm-deep slashes, about 2cm apart, across skin-side of lamb. Rub spice mix all over lamb. 3 Heat a lightly oiled barbecue grill plate over a medium to high heat. Add lamb,…

5-Ingredient Gingerbread Rocky Road Makes 18 pieces, Prep and Cook: 20 mins ½ cup shredded coconut ¾ cup natural almonds 2 x 290g packets Dark or Milk Choc Melts 200g packet Iced Spicy Gingerbread, coarsely chopped 250g white marshmallows 1 Grease an 18cm x 28cm rectangular slice pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above pan edges. 2 Place coconut on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Place almonds on a separate oven tray lined with baking paper. 3 Cook shredded coconut in a moderate oven (180C) for about 3 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Cook almonds in same moderate oven for about 5 minutes, or until roasted. Remove. Cool slightly. Coarsely chopped almonds. 4 Place Choc Melts in a large heatproof bowl. Sit bowl…

NI: How do you keep your locks soft, shiny and manageable in summer? EK: I’m lucky that my hair is healthy from the regular botanical repair treatments I do – I feel like these keep my hair naturally shiny and strong. NI: What is your number one hair tool? EK: I use a curling wand the most. It’s quite rare, but when I do I loosely curl my hair in all different directions, it gives a beach curl look. Or, I go to bed with wet hair (straight out of the shower) and in the morning it’s a messy beachy wave. Sometimes, I embrace my 10-year-old self and put a few plaits in my hair to get a beautiful wave. NI: How do you care for your hair after a…

You don’t need to spend big bucks on the perfect gift this year. Instead, visit a local Spotlight store and create a homecrafted present, made with love. NO-SEW MACRAMÉ BOWL WHAT YOU’LL NEED • 1 spool of Crafters Choice Macramé Cord• Hot glue gun• Glue sticks• Scissors• Acrylic paint• Paint brushes• Decorative tassels INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1 Starting in the middle, create a spiral around the end of the rope using the hot glue to hold it in place. STEP 2 Continue coiling the rope and gluing in place as you work your way around. Once you’ve created a flat circle large enough for your bowl base, begin to glue up the sides. STEP 3 Once you are happy with the height and shape of your bowl, finish by cutting the…

ELISE WILSON NEW IDEA BEAUTY EDITOR I’m always time poor, so cooking definitely falls off my priority list during the week, which can sometimes lead to unhealthy choices and unnecessary snacking! I jumped at the chance of try these Lean Cuisine meals after learning that they took a max of seven minutes to make, were super healthy and came in such a variety of options and recipes – including vegan and gluten free – and all with no preservatives. The range was prepared  by leading dietitian Susie Burrell and Lean Cuisine’s team of top nutritionists, and they’re packed with vegies, grains and high-quality protein. I have to say that the flavours did not disappoint either, with every meal surprising me on taste and just how much they filled me up.…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 It’s not often that you get this kind of energy in your chart and a week when the planets are all aligning positively. So what you need do to now is simply go for it. Make a list of your top-three goals, at least, and then make some bullet points about actions you can take. Pursue those goals like only an Aries can. As a bonus, your sex life and/or finances look to be improving too. YOUR POWER DAY: NOVEMBER 27 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 Last week was probably quite intense. This week, though? You get some good stuff from the heavens. It’s mainly in the form of better relationships. You have a chance to boost your love life, make up with…

MERE MALE “I keep seeing spots before my eyes,” said MM. “I wonder if there is something wrong with me.” “Have you seen a doctor?” I asked. “No,” said MM, “just spots.” S. WILLIAMS, TATURA, VIC. FRIES WITH THAT? I took my grandson, Paul, out for burgers. When the waitress asked how he wanted his burger, he replied: “Just like McDonalds, please.” After we all stopped laughing, I had to explain the difference between rare, medium and well done. WILMA WINTER, KEDRON, QLD. HOPE FOR THE IRWINS It saddens me to read that Bob Irwin has been estranged from his son’s family since the death of Steve. Also considering they were once inseparable. Bindi states that she wants to honour her father and keep his memory alive. I think a…

THE LAST BOOK I COULDN’T PUT DOWN WAS… The Alchemist [by Paulo Coelho]. It’s such a beautiful book. I finished it in two days and absolutely loved it. THE LAST TV SERIES I BINGE-WATCHED WAS… Normal People. Oh my goodness! I’ve watched it twice – I’m obsessed with it! THE LAST GREAT MEAL I HAD WAS… Spaghetti bolognaise with garlic bread. I had it over the weekend and it was absolutely delicious. THE NEXT TRIP I PLAN TO TAKE IS… To Melbourne, to see my family. THE LAST ITEM OF CLOTHING I BOUGHT WAS… Some new activewear.…